Grains and other crops
Victoria’s favourable climate and soils support the production of a range of winter crops, including cereals (such as wheat, barley and oats), oilseeds (such as canola) and pulses (such as lentils, faba beans and chickpeas).
Average total winter crop production is just over 5 million tonnes, although there can be significant variation from one year to the next, due mostly to climate variability. Many farmers also produce hay for livestock fodder, primarily from oats and vetch.
Most of Victoria’s winter crop production occurs in western and northern regions, with the majority in the Wimmera and Mallee. Production continues to expand in high rainfall zones of southern Victoria on land previously used exclusively for pasture and livestock production.
In 2018-19, Victoria had 5,848 broadacre crop production businesses, operating on a total land area of 3.45 million hectares. The total gross value of Victoria’s winter crop production was $1.85 billion, 15 per cent of the national total.
Useful industry data and information sources
Grain Traders
Grain Traders in Australia help trade crops in the local and global market. These crops may include:
- sorghum
- wheat
- barley
- hay
- oats
- vetch seed
- maize
- canola
- mung beans
- soybeans
- cotton seed
- millet
- triticale
- chickpeas.
Each has varying commodity prices, influenced by supply and demand, and other economic factors like oil prices.
Australian Export Grains Innovation Centre (AEGIC)
AEGIC is an independent, not-for-profit company established in 2012 to increase value in the Australian grains industry by gathering, analysing and sharing market intelligence.
Barley Australia
Barley Australia delivers services and information to increase the value and enhance the sustainability of Australia’s barley industry.
Pulse Australia
Pulse Australia is a peak industry body that represents all sectors of the pulse industry in Australia, from growers and agronomists through to researchers, merchants, traders and exporters.
The Australian Oilseeds Federation
The Australian Oilseeds Federation Inc. (AOF) was established in 1970 to represent the common interests of all Australian oilseed industry participants and promote the development, expansion and improvement of Australian oilseed production.